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The techniques involved may also play a part, as the highest risk was linked with surgery to extract sperm from the testicles in men with extreme fertility problems.

This procedure led to a more than a
four-fold increased chance of a child developing a severe and highly
disabling form of autism.

Overall, the findings were 'reassuring' for couples having IVF treatment for infertility problems

But the scientists, who analysed data on more than 2.5million births, stressed the chances of an ICSI baby being affected remained tiny in real terms.

Overall, the findings were ‘reassuring’ for couples having IVF treatment for infertility problems.

ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) is used in just over half of all IVF treatments in the UK.

The Swedish study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is the first of its kind to compare a wide range of IVF treatments and their impact on autism and intellectual disability.

They found a 51 per cent increased risk of intellectual impairment, an IQ below 70, in children conceived by IVF treatments in which sperm cells are injected directly into eggs.

This amounted to a rise from 62 per 100,000 children (0.062 per cent) to 92 per 100,000 (0.092 per cent).

Dr Avi Reichenberg, from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, said: ‘Our study shows treatments developed to manage male infertility are associated with an increased risk for developmental disorders in offspring.’

Carol Povey, Director of the National Autistic Society's Centre for Autism, said: 'Autism is a very complex condition and is thought to be the result of many different underlying physical and genetic factors. We therefore urge people not to jump to conclusions when considering the implications of this study.

'While we welcome research that could help us better understand the causes of autism, the most important thing is that we work to ensure people with the disability receive the support they need to reach their full potential.'